Vice President's Secretariat
Text of Address by Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha in the Central Hall of Parliament House today
On this momentous occasion as we stand on the threshold of adding a new chapter to the annals of our parliamentary democracy I congratulate you all on our phenomenal rise.
We all are indeed privileged to be witnessing this history in the making as we bid adieu to this magnificent Parliament Building which houses both the Chambers of our Parliament and this imposing Central Hall and move to the new one.
Traversing over seven decade journey, from Samvidhan Sabha to the present day in Amrit Kaal, these hallowed precincts have witnessed many a milestone.
From ‘Tryst with Destiny’ at Midnight of 15th August, 1947 to unfolding of innovative forwarding looking GST regime at midnight of June, 30, 2017 and now this day.
In this very Central Hall, the Members of the Constituent Assembly embarked upon the journey to accomplish the daunting task of drafting the Constitution of India.
Deliberations in the Constituent Assembly in this theatre exemplified decorum and healthy debate. Contentious issues were negotiated in a spirit of consensus with scholarly debate and spirited deliberations. We need to emulate the exemplary conduct of our founding fathers.
The new building of Parliament, testament to dawn of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, is much beyond an architectural marvel - it is a reflection of India's rich cultural diversity - a symbol of national pride, unity and identity.
We have impactfully organized the G-20 that resulted in demonstration of India's global power.
The New Building of Parliament, Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi are the most recent infrastructure masterpieces competing with the best in the world. These iconic venues are set to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s tomorrow. The world now realizes that our nation is on the rise as never before and this rise is unstoppable.
Bharat is defining global discourse, shaping their outcome and has emerged as a significant player among the comity of nations. It is dominating as an agenda-setter for global peace, climate transition and economic development on par with other leading players.
In this encouraging scenario generating hope and optimism all around, I find it a befitting occasion to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his sagacious approach, people centric vision, missionary zeal and exemplary execution; salute and appreciate contribution of the people in all walks of life and our bureaucracy that is enjoined with execution of policies.
Time has come to give up, once and for all, the premise of justifying transgression of conduct and outrageous disregard of rules in the temples of democracy by making reference to past instances.
As we march into the new parliament building, we must enhance cooperation and consensual approach. Time for us to bid farewell to confrontational stance and resolve to ever keep national interest uppermost.
Time to bury the strategy of weaponising disturbance and disruptions in parliamentary functioning as these are antithetical to democratic values and can never have sanction of the people- our ultimate masters.
Before I conclude, I would like to quote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who in his final speech in the Constituent Assembly, stated that “if we wish to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, what must we do? The first thing in my judgement we must do is to hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives.” Let us heed his clarion call.
On this decisive moment as we are witnessing the transformation of Bharat, appreciations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and for fructifying “Tryst with Modernity” for over a billion hearts. His role in this monumental task of shaping the destiny of one sixth of humanity would forever be etched in history.
Hon’ble Members, this historic walk to the new building of Parliament, in Amrit Kaal, be the march to Bharat @ 2047 as a VishwaGuru.
Let us in togetherness make the New Chambers of the Parliament the sanctum sanctorum of our Temple of Democracy.
Jai Hind!